Research Findings on the Application of the Arch Structure Model in Coal Mining, a Review

Abstract

Studying the movement law and failure mechanism of overburden is important to underground safety production, aquifer protection, surface subsidence and ecological protection. A commonly used model, the arch structure model, for studying overburden movement is systematically reviewed in this paper. First, the arch structure in the mining field is divided into an unconsolidated layer arch, beam arch (hinged arch), and overburden arch according to arching medium. On this basis, the research progress and existing problems of these three arch structure models are discussed according to the research means, including theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, similar simulation, and field measurements. The application of the arch structure model focuses on the prediction and prevention of mining pressure and surface subsidence, and there are relatively few means to actively regulate overburden arch. Thus, three control methods of the arch structure in underground coal mining are proposed: the preset arch structure method before coal mining, process control arch methods during coal mining, and end reinforcement control arch methods after coal mining. Finally, the main research focus on the arch structure model in the future is discussed.

Substantiation of Drilling Parameters for Undermined Drainage Boreholes for Increasing Methane Production from Unconventional Coal-Gas Collectors

“…The peculiarity of technogenic gas reservoirs is the complication of geomechanical conditions caused by the dynamic component of the support pressure when implemented in the transition from the vault theory ("O" circle theory) [16][17][18] to more advanced theories, taking into account the phenomenon of Oparin's "zonal disintegration" of rocks, a discrete and fractal array in the area of lead fracturing [19][20][21][22] (probably with the account of the mathematical apparatus of nonlinear dynamics-solitons, attractors). One of the most debatable areas is the prediction of zones with different parameters of the filtration channels "methane drainage zone" [23][24][25], which provide a decaying metastable solid gas-coal solution and the boundaries (angles of complete displacement) [26][27][28][29] for real conditions of reserve development.…”

“Migrate-Transfer-Control” Support System of Surrounding Rock in the Deep Roadway and Its Application

“…Consequently, it has the occasion to analyze the migration law and stress transfer characteristics of overburdened strata to control the roadway surrounding rock. Regarding the law of overburden rock migration, scholars have proposed many hypothesis models, including the pressure arch hypothesis, the cantilever beam hypothesis, the hinged rock beam hypothesis, the masonry beam hypothesis, and the key stratum theory [6][7][8][9][10]. Taking the key stratum theory as an example, the theory holds that there is a key stratum in the overburden movement, i.e., a certain layer or a few layers of thick and hard rock strata are broken, and then the overburden movement occurs.…”